Wait Patiently

Instant oatmeal, rotisserie chicken, self-adhesive stamps, drive-through windows, call-ahead seating … all these have something in common. They satisfy a sense of urgency! What is urgent? One online definition read, “too pressing to permit further delay.” We all have those hurry-hurry-rush-rush moments - sometimes several times a day! Take a moment to consider how much time a young David spent on the backside of nowhere with only sheep for company. Of all the typies of livestock, sheep require a lot of care? They possess no natural defense like claws or sharp teeth - only to run; they can become easily lost with no sense of direction to find their way home; they relay completely on a shepherd for their food, water, safety and rest. Perhaps their greatest need is the patience of a the shepherd! Although we read several places in the psalms David’s lack of patience, it was one of the most urgent needs in his life and he recognized it: "I waited patiently for the LORD," he writes in Psalm 40:1. What seems most urgent is not always most important. In my times of patiently waiting on God, I've learned He hears me, delivers me from destruction, sets my feet in a firm place, secures myour my steps, gives my heart a new song (from Verses 2-3). It may seem paradoxical (illogical) but truly the most urgent thing we can do is ... wait patiently.

Give Up to Win

Winning seems to be a big deal! As a former athlete, the win was what the team was after - more goals and more runs were what mattered most.  Jesus turned this idea on its head! He taught "blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God" (Matthew 5:3). Those who possessed nothing spiritually - the humble and the meek - achieved great reward! He modeled humility to His closest friends: Jesus "rose from supper. He laid aside His outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around His waist. Then He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around Him." (John 13:4-5 ESV). The world sees such as illogical, uncommon, making no sense but the real truth is it's how to win! "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you." (James 4:10 ESV) ... "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Matthew 23:12 ESV) ... "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you." (1 Peter 5:6 ESV). I love the Puritan's words: "Let me learn by paradox - that the way down is the way up ... to be low is to be high ... to bear the cross is to wear the crown" ("The Valley of Vision"). How great it was when we did have more goals and runs and took home the trophy. For those who truly love and are devoted to Jesus, there will never be any greater reward than what comes to those of a humbled heart - those who ... give up to win.

In His Strength

In his workshop Mister Bill has many things - many I cannot accurately name. One such handy gizmo is called a "come-along." Although its use matches its name, it is specifically "a hand-operated ratcheting cable or strap puller used to life pull, stretch, or position heavy loads over short distances." Like I said ... a handy gizmo. When life "happens," one of the first things we learn is just how weak and ill-equipped we are to meet present challenges. It can, of course, be a physical challenge but more often it is emotional, mental or spiritual in nature. Paul writes, "I can do all things through Him Who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13 ESV). What a great verse of promise and hope but I fear we live as if the verse reads: "I can do all things," neglecting the "through Him Who strengthens me." In this terribly misguiding culture we are told and encouraged to dig-deep into ourselves and find that inner strength to succeed in and through every facet of life. What an exercise in futility - useless and ineffective! "[God] gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength." (Isaiah 40:29) ... "Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might." (Ephesians 6:10) ... "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (Psalm 73:26) ... "Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!" (1 Chronicles 16:11) ... "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (Psalm 73:26). There is no match, no equal, no substitute for the strength God gives to those who will first humble themselves - admit their own weakness - then find all they need to come-along in His power. Over the years, I've seen Mister Bill's come-along gizmo in action, and it's pretty impressive. Nothing speaks louder to our own hearts or to others who watch us in-and-through life's challenges than when we trust God and live life ... in His strength.

Certain

Oh, how we love our modern conveniences. We love and use them so much, we've come to depend on them exclusively. Then ... they fail - a quick reminder of just how "dependable" they really are. So goes the account of David and his army who returned from war to find their homes burned and families taken captive by the wicked Amalekites. Of course, they were distraught - "wept until there was no strength in them to weep" (1 Samuel 30:4 NASB). Even though David suffered loss (his own family captured), his men were ready to stone him! Scripture says in the face of such calamity David "strengthened himself in the LORD his God" (V.6). I suppose we've all been in such a place where we felt absolutely alone; even those close to us - those with whom we love and share life - are of no help,  perhaps even a source of the moment's chaos and distress. What does it mean that David found strength and encouragement "in the LORD?" Certainly, David drew on his past experiences, what he knew of The LORD - those times when God had proven to be his faithful rock, present help, sure foundation. When we depend on The ever-faithful, never-changing LORD, we are sure to find genuine dependability. That is ... certain.

Fresh Fruit

The summer season brings all kinds of fresh fruit - cantaloupes, watermelons, strawberries and blackberries to name just a few. While I won't miss the terrible heat, I will miss those seasonal yummies! God says we are to "continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His Name." (Hebrews 13:15). There is nothing "seasonal" about being grateful and expressing it! Gratitude is not a feeling, which are typically rooted in something temporal like the feeling we get from a hot shower after working in the yard or the smell and taste of your morning coffee. A heart of genuine gratitude will find God alone as its continual song of thankfulness. In Exodus 34 we read that on Mount Sinai, the LORD descended and stood with Moses and declared Himself "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; Who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, Who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin." (Verses 6-7 NASB). God alone - not simply what He does but who He is - we have reason to continually be grateful and speak of it. Such is our continual ... fresh fruit.